With Memorial Day Weekend here, Salem County Health Department offers tips on staying safe, healthy in the heat

The Salem County Health Department is offering tips for keeping safe this summer.

SALEM — The Salem County Department of Health would like to take the time to give the community some helpful reminders to staying safe and healthy in this warm weather.

Every year high temperatures can put people at risk of dehydration, heat stroke and hospitalization. Memorial Day Weekend marks the beginning of summer and means that high temperatures are here to stay.

Too much time spent in high temperatures can lead to a few conditions. Heat exhaustion, heat cramps, and heat stroke (aka sun stroke), all occur because the body is trying to cool itself down after being in the heat for a long time. When this happens, the blood rushes to the surface of the skin and less blood reaches your brain, muscles and other organs.

Although they are caused by high temperatures, each is a little different:

• Heat exhaustion can happen when a large amount of fluids is lost through sweat. This can disturb circulation and brain function.

• Heat cramps are similar to heat exhaustion because it occurs when fluid is lost. The loss of fluid through sweat can also lead to loss of important nutrients and minerals that the body needs to function, this can lead to muscle cramps.

• Heat stroke happens when long exposure to heat causes the temperature control part of the brain to shut down. This can prevent someone from sweating and cooling down his or her body.

Some other conditions caused by high temperatures include fainting, hyperthermia, which is high body temperature, swelling, and hyperventilation. These conditions can happen to anyone but the elderly and young children have higher chances of being affected because their bodies do not lose heat quickly. People who work outdoors are also at a higher risk. If you or someone you know is suffering from heat stroke or heat exhaustion please call 911 or contact a medical provider then move the person inside or to shade.

Try to give fluids, remove extra clothing, and try to cool their body with water or ice packs. Some serious symptoms include unconsciousness, seizures, difficulty breathing, confusion, restlessness, anxiety, heavy sweating or no sweat and vomiting or diarrhea.

Not all instances require emergency assistance and mild cases can be treated at home. If the person is not showing any of the above symptoms they can be treated with the following; get some rest, get out of direct sunlight, cool down with a fan or ice packs, drink sports fluids that contain electrolytes and avoid strenuous activity for a few days. Health Officer Nancy Gerrity states, “Many people don't think about heat exhaustion until they start feeling symptoms. It's important to think about preventing this from happening so you can enjoy your summer.”

Here are some helpful tips on avoiding these conditions:

• Stay hydrated before, during and after outdoor activity. Sweating causes you to lose a lot of fluid so staying hydrated is key.

• Try to stay in a shaded area when outdoors. Bringing an umbrella, tent or staying under a shady tree can keep you cooler and prevent higher body temperatures. If nothing else wear a wide brimmed hat.

• Avoid caffeinated or alcoholic drinks. These can affect circulation.

• Avoid being outside at peak sun hours. Between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. the sun and the temperature and your risk are at its highest. Stay indoors or under shade.

Freeholder Dale Cross commented, “The summer months give us a lot of time to enjoy the outdoors and the activities our community provides. It can be a lot of fun to get out of the house and enjoy to sunshine but we encourage everyone to do so safely.”

For more information about heat safety go to www.webmd.com or call the health department at (856) 935-7510.